Every month, our project manager in Myanmar Su Myat Oo (called Su Su) sends us a summary of the activities at the Irrawaddy River Doctors and at the mother and child center. She also gives us an insight into the current situation in the politically unstable Myanmar and the impact this is having on the local people.

We reproduce her impressive report in the original English language. Here are her observations for the month of December:

Dear Dr. Veronika,

I want to write a monthly overview report for IRD December trip. During the trip our team was able to provide medical treatment for 13 villages. I thank to God for guiding us healthy and happy until the end of 2022.

According to the ICD results, 2281 patients (children and adults) visited us for medical treatements, 770 of them were dental patients (34 %) and 63 pregnant women came to the boat for prenatal chech-ups. We did laboratory test for 42 of the pregnant women and further 166 for the other patiejnts. And total number of 690 children under 15 years (male and female) came for medical check-ups, medical treatments including dental treatment. And the total number of under one-year children was 25. Total deworming number for this month was 250.

In December trip,most poeple came due to Malaria, Dengue, Hepatitis, Syphilis, HIV, diabetes mellitus, coughing, respiratory infection and diseases of the skin. In the Dental Clinic we provided for the patients related with dental caries, periodontitis, gingivitis, sometimes oral ulcer and tongue ulcer due to sharp edges of the teeth or others. For the Filling procedure, composite filling, glass ionomer filling as temporary and sometimes Zinc Oxide eugenol were used as medicated filling.

I believed that 2022 year was the most challenging year for us. As you know, we faced many problems near the end of 2022. Sometimes destiny is really challenging for us, but I believe that we all learned from it, gained experience and will help us to deal with problematic situations in the future. Thank you very much for your kind support in this difficult situation.

During December we also visited three schools and we provided health education plans such as medical check-up and dental check-up in the education facilities, where we also distributed toothpaste and toothbrush, mosquito repellent lotion and hand washing soaps. This was our last service for 2022. But, in 2023 we plan more outreach activities for those villages because the authorities and teachers invited us to come and visit to their schools.

Although I can't give you anything back, thank you very much for giving us X'mas gifts, X'mas dinner and the New Year budget. There is nothing we can do without your help. I believe that in the new year 2023, we will be able to do a lot of work together to help the people in Myanmar. I love you all and wishing God Bless you all.

With Best Regards,

Su Su @ Myanmar

With Best regards,

Su Su

News from the Mother and Child Center, Bogale

Six girls and four boys were born at the MCC in November. All babies and their mothers are doing well.

Take a look at our baby gallery: all children born at the MCC are welcomed here.